Related Tags:

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)— Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a statewide initiative aimed at curtailing gun violence on Saturday.

“For too long, urban communities across New York have been devastated by gun violence, destroying families and neighborhoods,” Governor Cuomo said. “We must do all we can to stop the violence and make sure our residents are protected and our streets are safe.”

The governor will award $1-million to six communities including Brownsville, the Bronx, and Manhattan to develop strategies to combat gun violence, a move that has received praise from local politicians.

Assembly Member Karim Camara, Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus, said, “This is the most significant initiative by any federal or state elected official to gun violence. We will put in place these important strategies tailored to the specific problems in each community, that will help reduce gun violence and take firearms off the streets.”

The ad campaign is expected to launch in the spring and will seek to encourage behavioral changes that will lead to a reduction in violent crime.

Janet DiFiore, President of the New york State District Attorney’s Association lauded the initiative as a potential life-saver.

“We have seen the lives of too many young New Yorkers ruined by gun violence, and the Governor is right to lead this effort. We will continue to work together to make our urban centers a safe place for all New Yorkers,” she said.

The ad campaign is expected to launch in the spring and will seek to encourage behavioral changes that will lead to a reduction in violent crime.

Members of the law enforcement community see the policy as a way to bolster their ability to combat gun violence.

“Certain communities in New York have been disproportionately affected by gun crimes and it is important for these areas to be given the resources they need to take guns off the streets,” said Mechanicville Police Chief Joseph D. Waldron, president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Violence intervention programs will target ex-offenders and seek to utilize them to identify potential disputes and de-escalate situations before violence occurs.

Residents will be able to call a toll-free tip line at 1-855-GUNS-NYS to report illegal gun activity.

What kind of impact do you think this new initiative will have on gun violence in the city? Let us know in our comments section below…